Man pays € 15,000 to assault victim

A 23 year old man who assaulted another man in a pub has paid his victim € 15,000, a sitting of Sligo Circuit Court was told.

Adam Leonard of Claddagh, Aclare had pleaded guilty at a previous sitting to a charge of assault causing harm to Kevin Moran at Flynn’s Pub, Aclare on August 30th 2014.

The victim of the assault was knocked out by a single punch thrown by Leonard.

Mr Keith O’Grady BL with Ms Laura Spellman, solicitor ( defending), said a sum of € 2,000 was brought to the court when the matter was previous listed on September 29th and handed over to the victim.

The case was then adjourned for a further € 5,000 with the final figure being set at € 15,000.

Mr O’Grady said the defendant had taken out a loan so that he had a further € 13,000 in court for the victim.

The amount was in cash and State Solicitor, Mr Hugh Sheridan declined to accept the amount saying it was too much to receive in cash. He suggested the money be put into the defendant solicitor’s client account and a cheque to be issued.

Judge Keenan Johnson suggested that a bankdraft be obtained and the matter was adjourned briefly. When the case resumed a bankdraft in the amount of € 13,000 was handed over to be sent to the victim.

Judge Johnson noted that Leonard did not have any previous convictions, that the matter was out of character and he had shown complete contrition.

The Judge said the victim did suffer a very serious injury as a result of the assault and it was his intention to impose a suspended prison sentence.

He allowed Mr O’Grady make enquiries if this would affect the defendant’s stated intention to travel to Australia to work.

Mr O’Grady later told the court such an order would affect the defendant’s application for a visa. Judge Johnson adjourned the case for finalisation to October 18th and said the defendant could apply for his visa before then.